KAHA Queer Youth Hui 2009

12/02/2009

by Out There

Like sand through the hourglass, these are the Gays of Our Lives

From the 23-25 of January, Wellington was host to the KAHA Queer Youth Hui 2009. It brought over 140 young Queer people from all over New Zealand to build strength and pride across a network of groups and individuals dedicated to helping Queer youth. Over 11 Queer youth groups were represented from as far North as Whangarei to as far south as Dunedin, and of course all those in between, as well as their administrators, and representatives from the hui's organisers at OUT THERE!, and parent organisations Rainbow Youth and the New Zealand AIDS Foundation.

Those who attended were lucky enough to experience Tapu Te Ranga marae in Island Bay, iconic for its innovation and the philosophy that built it. At the powhiri on Friday, we were graciously welcomed by Bruce Stewart and his whanau before settling in for a truly exciting weekend, made all the more unique by its setting and the dynamic group of people it had collected. On the Friday night, we listened to two speakers to help gear up for the weekend ahead. The first was Bruce who spoke of his experiences of, and activism against racism. A lot of his personal journey was reflected in the marae, which stood as proof that something could be made of nothing. He was followed by Alison Laurie, a lecturer from Victoria University and leading scholar on Lesbian and Gay histories in Australasia, who spoke on Queer history and politics in New Zealand. This combination of ideas, brought to the fore by two such prominent people, really emphasised the intersections that KAHA represents; that we are as diverse as we choose to be, yet we find strength under one roof.

Saturday came too early for some, as not everyone enjoyed the same quality of sleep in all rooms on the marae. But with a hot breakfast thanks to Carl from the New Zealand AIDS Foundation, and his helpers, we were equipped to face the day ahead. It started off with a couple of workshops, opening up discussion on identity, the function of youth groups and relationships. And if that amount of Queer introspection wasn't enough to smash the patriarchy, the afternoon gave us an opportunity to stretch a few creative muscles with Zine making, followed by workshops on safe sex and relationships. These workshops gave us the chance to ask questions that were relevant to issues facing Queer youth daily in a supportive environment, which cannot be underestimated by youth who receive little or no Queer education in schools.

The concert on Saturday night boasted a range of talents you're sure only to find at a Queer event. We were entertained by music, poetry, waiata, dramatic monologue, backflips, stand-up and of course, drag, fronted by Ellie Kat. While some ventured into town to make the most of a weekend away from home, many chose to make their own drama with a few rounds of truth or dare rather than get a good night's sleep or sit in sober reflection of the day that had been. KAHA comes but once every two years, after all.

Sunday morning was taken up with our last workshop, where we discussed discrimination and being Queer in the community, school, tertiary education and the workplace. The poroporoaki officially concluded our time on the marae that morning, and it was with heavy hearts that we went our separate ways, if not to become reconnected via Facebook and/or Bebo hours later. KAHA was a truly amazing event for all who attended, not only for the knowledge and experience shared but for the friendships made that will make our community stronger, and Queer youth better off in the future. The next KAHA is scheduled to coincide with the Out Games in 2011, which will ensure an even louder Queer voice in the capital in two years' time."